Our trip to Alberta...

We sure had a nice time visiting with family and friends on this trip! We're very thankful for the hospitality of the folks that we stayed with on this trip. We sure do appreciate it!

But we're glad to be home again and sleeping in our "own" beds. The kids'll be heading back to school again on Monday so thing's will be back to a regular routine.

Little update...

So here we are, back in Valemont, B.C. on our way back to the coast. First we plan to make a stop in Vernon to do a presentation. This will be the last one on this trip. We had a couple good presentations in Edmonton (where we enjoyed the hospitality of Rev and Mrs. Slomp-Thanks!) and in Neerlandia (land where all drivers wave to eachother upon passing); where we were able to use my aunt's house (she was in Aussie). We had a great turnout in both churches! It was neat to meet some supporters that we'd never met before and also talk with folks who've lived in Papua and know exactly what we're talking about!
In Neerlandia we enjoyed catching up with family, particularly my sister and her fam. Our kids thoroughly enjoyed the snow in Alberta and loved snowmobiling on the creek! (no photos yet, I'm on a computer at the hotel...) I think the kids are getting ready to return home and sleep in their own beds... and maybe the parents too...

Update...

Here's a little update on us and where we're at...
Hugo arrived safely back home yesterday. The kids and I drove down to Bellingham airport to pick him up.
This morning we picked up a rental van and loaded it up with stuff and kids and began our journey to northern Alberta. Right now we are staying in a hotel in Valemont. There's a pool with a crazy slide so the kids are happy campers. We encountered all sorts of weather during our 7 hour drive up here... snow... rain... sun... The kids were thrilled to see snow again for the first time since we've come back to Canada. They can't wait to play in it this weekend.
Tomorrow we make our way to Edmonton where we will do a presentation and then on Saturday we will drive to Neerlandia where we will do another presentation and visit with some family. After a few days there we will drive down to Vernon where we hope to do a presentation on Thursday evening and then on Friday make our way back home.

I see it has been a week since my last post...
Hugo has been in Spokane, Washington since last Saturday. So I've been solo parenting for the past week. Hugo is taking some courses related to the new Kodiak aircraft that we have just received. As this aircraft is completely different than our other aircraft in addition to being a newly designed aircraft, there is much to be learned about it. Hugo reports that the course has been very worthwhile and interesting.
He is scheduled to return on Wednesday and the following day we will begin our drive to Alberta to visit family and make a few presentations. If you are able to attend one we'd love to meet you!

As today was a school holiday, we made our way to Heineken House in Richmond. We were there early so there was no line-up to get in! Didn't need to use Hugo's passport after all. We had fun on the simulators. Aidan did a great job of driving our sled. Then made our way to the arena area where we ate kroket on a bun, a delicacy more appreciated by dad and mom than the kids.... We watched the first bunch of teams in the mens long track pursuit on the big screen there. Then we walked around a bit, unfortunately nothing else opens until 3:00 so we went to Ikea... The kids enjoyed checking out Ikea. When we go to stores like that you see that we've been living in a third world country for the past number of years.

Last Saturday we walked around Campbell Valley park. It was beautiful weather! As we see virtually no wildlife in Papua, the kids thought the chipmunks and ducks were very cool.

Olympic Curling....

It was a raucous night! Just getting to the Curling event location was an olympic event! Parking at skytrain was a nightmare leaving us begging permission from Home Depot to park in their parking lot. They acquiesed... (free parking!) Then a squishy skytrain ride to meet Chris at his building on Robson, right where the CTV live broadcast booth was located. Then we walked around a bit and saw the flame; behind fences. Apparently, Vancouver is allowing the public to get a lot closer to the cauldron then other cities have allowed in past Olympics. They have since replaced the fence with plexiglass. We grabbed a bite to eat at a crammed restaurant in Gastown, sitting beside some members of the Russian delegation, who took photos of everything. Then we made our way to the incredibly long line-up for the Canada Line. The line went extremely fast and soon we were on our way. Then we took a bus for a couple blocks and then walked a few more blocks before getting into line to have our bags screened. Finally, we were in! A whole 53 minutes before the event was to begin! There was an atmosphere not unlike one you'd encounter at a hockey game. Foot stomping was a favourite way to through off opponents of Canada while they were making crucial shots. Canada beat Denmark 4-3, needing an extra end to do it. After that we made our way back to Robson where the streets were loaded with people cheering and having a good time. We viewed the nightly laser light show and then made our way to this teeny tiny shewarma place where we joined the line-up for sustenance. I don't think they could have made this place any smaller! But the food was delish! Finally we made our way to the sky train station and home. What a fun Olympic experience!

Christiaan's birthday party...

The very happy b-day boy!

Nearly 10 years ago, our oldest son made his entrance into the world. Tomorrow, D.V., he will celebrate his 10th birthday. We held his party on Friday after school.

Four friends came over and after sending them on a "treasure" hunt ending in chocolate bars all around, they made their own pizzas and headed to the park while I baked them. Then they ate them while watching the Olympic opening ceremonies (of course!). Good times!